Just Starting Out

[FairWeatherCamper]

Hi All,
I am just starting out with hiking, and hoping to do a few 3-5 hour walks and a couple of overnighters (small tent, not bivvy to start with). I have always loved being out in the hills and forests.

I don't have much in the line of equipment so will build that up over time. I'm likely to start by doing a section or two of the Antrim Hills Way, which is local to me (I'm in Larne).

More info at my wee blog (larnerambler.blogspot.com)

I'm only in it for the fun and views.

If anyone is heading out for a walk in the area and fancies some company, let me know.

[Oisín]

Hello Will.

Welcome to the forum. I spend a fair bit of time in Larne as thats where my girlfriend lives. I've always said to myself that some day I should go a walk up to the Sallagh Braes but I never have. Drains bay to Ballygalley (via Carnfunnock) is a nice walk.

You should be able to get a fair bit of walking down with that kit, you may get a bit wet but thats where you get the great stories from!

You should keep a regular eye out on the topics, there is plenty going on. Hope to see you out.

[Rusty Madra]

Hello and welcome to the forum! Get out on a few hikes and camps... I was amazed what a friendly bunch Wild NI were when I first started: still am!

[Spud]

Hello and welcome!

[Glenn B]

Hi there.

[LandyLiam]

Welcome will

[bbmcg]

Hi Will , you've got the bug now and you'll probably never shake it off. I caught it last summer and am now swapping weeks of sunbathing in Spain for hiking trips to the mournes , donegal and Scotland. Nothing beats climbing a mountain and feeling a million miles away from civilization ,and those views .............WOW ! if anyone had told me this time last year how I'd be spending my time off i'd have told them to catch themselves on lol.

ENJOY  !!!!

[RedLeader]

Welcome!

[FairWeatherCamper]

Thanks Everyone. I think I caught the bug on the RUC Ramble when I was a teenager. It's taken me this long to get back to it!

Sunbathing has never appealed to me much although I like exploring new cities - Barcelona is a favourite. I love Majorca mostly for it's geology and landscape. I'm a former Geography student (yes useless degree I know).

Larne is my launchpad for the Antrim Coast and Glens so I wouldn't swap it. I think my next little expedition will be with my son (5yrs old) again so it'll probably be a quick climb up Slemish or something to that effect. After that, the Antrim Hills Way as I mentioned before.

Looking forward to getting to know some of you.

[whoRya]

Hi willmarks1984, welcome to NI wild. 

If you haven't been up already then Agnew's Hill is a nice spot, might give you a nice view of your house.  Like all the Antrim Hills, gaiters are recommended.

I think if I find myself in Tenerife doing the summer holiday thing I might just try to take Mount Teide in, the highest mountain in Spain, it'd be rude not to.  Combine both holidays I say.

[Mourneman]

Welcome to the forum

[specimanYak]

I'm from that neck of the woods but managed to escape .
There's a topic here about the Knockdhu Souterrain on the Sallagh Braes, there's a guided tour upto it every year usually in July/August, it still has to be updated for this year  but keep an eye on the link, looks like an interesting walk:

http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2248.msg25968#msg25968

[Wolf_Larson]

willmarks1984 i am very interested in doing any walks in the artrim hills after Feb, im going to get my foot looked at on the 20th of Feb as i have some sort of injury. But plz let me know if your heading on to the antrim hills.

Even PM me to if your hitting the artrim hills ;-)

Many regards Dave

[FairWeatherCamper]

Hey Dave, the Antrim Hills are a mucky mess right now, so it won't be in February anyway. I'll PM you when I have a better idea when I'm going, or if you are heading out, let me know.

[Wolf_Larson]

Thanks will, I'll pm you also if heading anywhere.

Regards dave